Work starts Monday on next stage of Transport for Norwich …

Work on a set of traffic changes in the city centre will begin on Monday, 18 January, continuing the current Transport for Norwich scheme which has already seen changes in St Stephens Street, Chapel Field North, and Rampant Horse Street in 2014.

Over the next three months drivers will see closures on Rouen Road and lanes closed on Golden Ball Street as work gets underway to make Golden Ball Street two-way. This will allow for work later this year and early next year to remove general traffic from Westlegate, All Saints Green and Red Lion Street.

The 3.05m scheme, which is being carried out in phases to minimise disruption, will once complete:

Give motorists easier access to car parks, including John Lewis, both Castle Mall car parks and the multi-storey under construction off Rose Lane Restore All Saints Green as an attractive traffic-free open space. Improve pedestrian and cycle connection with the rest of the city centre by removing traffic from Westlegate Simplify north-south vehicle access by making Golden Ball Street two-way

Cllr Steve Morphew, Chair of the Norwich Highways Agency Committee, said: This scheme will make life easier for drivers heading for car parks, but we re conscious there will be short term inconvenience for people travelling in the Golden Ball Street and Rouen Road area while the work is being done. I apologise for that and ask people to be patient.

Please plan your journeys allowing extra time while the work is underway as everyone is having to adjust.

The result will be simpler faster routes and attractive traffic free spaces for pedestrians and cyclists. It will help support our businesses and those who we want to visit and enjoy Norwich. I am very much looking forward to the scheme being completed.

Councillor Bert Bremner, Norwich City Council cabinet member for environment and sustainable development said: Delivery of this scheme will provide an important link for shoppers between major parts of the city, making it a better place for visitors while also boosting passing trade for local businesses.

It will also be quicker and easier for drivers to reach city centre car parks, including the new Rose Lane multi-storey currently under construction.

There s never an ideal time to carry out significant works such as these but we feel that the long-term benefits will outweigh any relatively short-term disruption.

The first phase, starting at the junction of Rouen Road/Cattle Market Street/Farmers Avenue and Golden Ball Street will take approximately 12 weeks to complete. During this phase, Rouen Road will be closed to traffic from its junction with Golden Ball Street/Cattle Market Street and its junction with Normans Buildings, by the walk-in NHS Health Centre. A diversion route will be clearly signed and access to homes and businesses on Rouen Road will be maintained from the eastern end of the closure.

By late spring 2017 the completed scheme will see major changes to traffic flows, the creation of more pedestrian areas, and the removal of traffic lights and kerbside barriers at a number of junctions in the area around Farmers Avenue, Golden Ball Street, All Saints Street and All Saints Green, Westlegate, St Stephens Plain and Red Lion Street.

Together the changes to the city centre are designed to support the vitality of the main commercial area by reducing conflict between vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, while maintaining access for all modes of travel car, bus and taxi, motorcycle, bicycle and walking.

The proposals, including major changes around Farmers Avenue, Golden Ball Street, All Saints Green, Westlegate, St Stephens Plain and Red Lion Street, were out for public consultation over the summer in 2015 responses which led to a number of refinements agreed at the September 2015 meeting of the Norwich Highways Agency committee see papers here1.

This scheme has been developed by Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council.

It is funded by local growth funds from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and from developer funding via the Community Infrastructure Levy, and Section 106 funds.

The work will be carried out by Norfolk County Council and its contractor Tarmac.

Norfolk County Council apologises for any inconvenience the work may cause.